Government ministers are to hear warnings of the impact of tomorrow’s public sector strike on the wider economy, particularly smaller businesses, as parents are forced to take leave to look after children.
In a memo to Cabinet, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers will outline some of the other anticipated impacts of the strike, including the cancellation of outpatient hospital appointments and non-emergency procedures as well as the closure of most schools, colleges and universities.
Mr Chambers is also expected to tell his fellow ministers that “substantial efforts” have been made to engage in talks with public sector unions, including officials meeting with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on twelve occasions during 2026, with two meetings taking place since the expiry of the last public sector pay deal in June.
A whole of Government statement is expected to be agreed by Cabinet, reaffirming its commitment to entering negotiations on a new pay agreement with unions.
It will also highlight the €1.2 billion allocated in Budget 2027 for a new public sector pay deal.
More than 300,000 public sector workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, will engage in a 24-hour strike tomorrow.
A further strike is planned for 21 October.
Public sector unions have accused the Government of failing to make meaningful commitments on pay following the expiration of the last public service agreement at the end of June.
They said they want pay to be discussed at the start of any negotiations, rather than at the end.
Unions also want a mechanism that would protect wages from inflation over the duration of a multi-annual deal.
Yesterday, Mr Chambers wrote to union leaders urging them to call off tomorrow’s planned strike and to enter talks at the Workplace Relations Commission.
He wrote that “pay issues can and should be discussed as a priority alongside other matters as part of the pay talks”.
The unions responded, however, by saying that letter did not “represent any change in his previously stated position”, and that preparations for the strike would continue.
The Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said the Government must acknowledge that the specific pay issues raised by unions will be addressed in any talks at the outset.
